CWE-597: Use of Wrong Operator in String Comparison
Learn about CWE-597 (Use of Wrong Operator in String Comparison), its security impact, exploitation methods, and prevention guidelines.
What is Use of Wrong Operator in String Comparison?
• Overview: The vulnerability involves using the wrong operator for string comparison in programming, specifically using "==" instead of a method like .equals() in Java. This mistake can lead to incorrect program behavior because "==" compares object references, not the actual string values.
• Exploitation Methods:
- Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating program logic to bypass security checks that rely on string comparisons.
- Common attack patterns include crafting inputs that cause a program to behave unexpectedly, potentially bypassing authentication or authorization checks.
• Security Impact:
- Direct consequences include incorrect execution of code paths, leading to unauthorized access or data leakage.
- Potential cascading effects include system instability or failure, allowing further attacks.
- Business impact could involve loss of sensitive data, legal repercussions, and damage to reputation.
• Prevention Guidelines:
- Specific code-level fixes involve using the correct method, such as .equals(), for string comparisons in Java.
- Security best practices include conducting code reviews and static analysis to ensure proper use of operators.
- Recommended tools and frameworks include using IDE plugins or linters that detect improper string comparison usage.
Technical Details
Likelihood of Exploit: Not specified
Affected Languages: Not specified
Affected Technologies: Not specified